Baker was named a CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District performer for the 2008-09 season. He was named to the Second Team for District 1, which is represented by all Division III schools in New York State, New England and colleges and universities in the eastern provinces of Canada.

He graduated, cum laude, on Saturday, May 16, with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. At Honors Convocation April 24, he was awarded the American Chemical Society (Corning Section) College Student Award, the American Institute of Chemists Foundation Award, and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Merit Medal.

Baker is a four-time All-American swimmer, having earned honorable mention honors at each of the last three NCAA championship meets (twice at this year’s championships). He earned the honors in the 100-yard backstroke at the 2007 and 2008 NCAAs and in the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard freestyle at this year’s national championships, setting new AU and Empire 8 Conference records in the 200-yard free in the process.

In addition to the 200-yard freestyle, Baker holds school records in the 100-yard backstroke and is also a member of teams that hold school marks in the 200-yard and 400-yard medley relays. He was the Empire 8 Conference Swimmer of the Year as a sophomore in 2007 after winning conference titles in the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke and 500-yard freestyle while also swimming on four winning relays. He won the Empire 8 Swimmer of the Year honor again this year after winning conference titles in the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke.

Baker won state titles in 100-yard backstroke in 2008 and 2009, and helped lead the Saxons to state and Empire 8 team championships each of the last three seasons. He owns the Empire 8 championship meet record in the 100-yard backstroke and also swam on the 200 and 400 medley relay teams that hold the Empire 8 championship marks.

He was named Alfred University’s team MVP each of the last two seasons. During his four-year career at AU, the Saxons went 37-2 in dual meets and won a school record-tying 28 straight between 2007 and 2009. He is a three-time College Swimming Coaches Association and Upper New York State Collegiate Swimming Association Academic All-American.